Police say thieves stealing golf carts, breaking into cars

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga.,None - Peachtree City police are searching for thieves who they say stole golf carts then used them to go on a burglary spree.

Investigators said there were 12 vehicles burglaries and one garage break-in reported between Sunday and Tuesday.

They said the thieves stole a golf cart to get to the scene of the crime and then stole another to get away.

Most of the crimes happened in the Centennial subdivision and North Fairfield subdivision off of Highway 74.

Kim Katz-Leroux said she knows what her neighbors in the Centennial subdivision are feeling after being targeted by car burglars. She said the same kind of thieves victimized her.

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"You feel invaded that someone's been going through your things," she said.

Police said thieves stole electronics, cash, a purse and even a handgun after victims left their doors unlocked in each case.

"Because of the sense of security people feel in Peachtree City, you see a lot of unlocked cars," said Capt. Stan Pye. "We always plead with the citizens the best way to prevent this kind of thing is to simply lock your car."

Police think this may be a group of teens using a key to steal the generic keyed golf carts.

Investigators said there are about 9,000 registered golf carts in the city.

"When you have that many miles of golf cart paths and that many golf carts, it makes it very easy for them to go unnoticed going from location to location."

However, for those who think stealing golf carts are a minor offense, police said it is a motor vehicle.

They said stealing a golf cart can bring the same punishment as someone stealing a car.